Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is yet to appear among the front rowers in the 2026 Formula 1 season after retiring from the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15 due to a power unit failure in his RB22. The Red Bull driver slowed dramatically after 46 laps and was forced to return to the pits, later calling the new engine regulations a "joke".
Verstappen had already endured a difficult start to the season, finishing sixth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after starting from the back of the grid. Since pre-season testing, the Dutchman has been openly critical of the 2026 regulations, describing the cars as "Formula E on steroids".
He was not classified in a race of 15 finishers. This marked Verstappen's first retirement from Shanghai in his career.
"It's not about being upset at where I am, because I'm actually fighting even more now," the Dutchman told reporters. "I would say the same if I was winning races, because I care about the racing product.
"For me, it's a joke," he continued, calling the new rules "fundamentally flawed."
The 71-times race winner has spent more time this season scrapping for meagre points than he has been used to.
He fought his way through the pack from 20th on the grid following a crash in qualifying at last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, and dropped from eighth to 14th in Saturday's sprint race in China before finishing ninth and out of the points.
Not everyone shares Verstappen's opinion, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff praising the racing between his two drivers and the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari drivers were also effusive about the battle between them in a race that ultimately saw Kimi Antonelli secure his maidenF1win for Mercedes.
"Sometimes we are nostalgic about the good old years, but I think the product is good in itself," Austrian Wolff told reporters after the race.
"The vast majority, through all demographics, like the sport at the moment," he added.
"Max is really in a horror show. I'm sure for someone like Max, who is a full attack guy, it's difficult to cope and digest."
Verstappen said he hoped Formula One would not prioritise reaching new fans and growing the sport's appeal by making overtaking easier at the expense of conventional racing.
"I hope they don't think like that, because it will eventually ruin the sport. It will come and bite them back in the ass," he said.
"Maybe some fans like it, but they don't understand racing."
(With Reuters Input)